2012 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 644 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 95 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 80 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemOct 17, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.
A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
73 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 8, 2026
I am reporting a safety-related issue involving the ECM / torque converter on my 2012 Toyota Camry. This issue can cause loss of power, hesitation, or stalling which presents a serious safety concern while driving. The issue impacts drivability and can result in sudden loss of acceleration or engine stalling, especially at higher speeds or during merging. This creates an increased risk of collision for myself, passengers, and surrounding vehicles. I have experienced some scary occurrences with shuddering at high speeds, hesitation while near other innocent vehicles and stalling. I was never notified by Toyota about this recall or service campaign while it was active. I maintain current registration information and would have had the issue addressed immediately. Toyota acknowledged the campaign but refused support due to expiration, despite my lack of notice. I contacted Toyota and was instructed to file a complaint with NHTSA. Toyota declined to repair the issue under goodwill or policy exception. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this defect should have been classified as a safety recall and whether consumers were properly notified. Sudden loss of power or stalling presents a significant safety risk and may warrant additional remedies or extension of the campaign for affected owners who were not notified.
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 1, 2025
I am filing this complaint regarding a known and documented issue affecting my 2012 Toyota Camry (VIN: [XXX] ), which has developed a transmission shudder and vibration between 20–50 mph. This problem is directly aligned with Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0079-15 and Customer Support Program ZF4, both of which describe issues with the torque converter and ECM software. My vehicle has 116,670 miles, which falls within the mileage eligibility of the support program (ZF4: 150,000 miles), though it is just outside the time limitation (8 years). I reached out to Toyota (Case #: [XXX]) to request goodwill assistance due to the safety-related nature of the defect and the fact that it is a well-documented product flaw, but they declined support solely based on time — not on mileage or vehicle condition. The vibration affects the transmission and drivability, particularly during city and highway acceleration, creating potential hazards when merging or navigating traffic. I believe this qualifies as a design flaw with potential safety implications. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Toyota’s handling of this issue and determine whether further consumer protection or a recall is warranted, especially for owners who were not adequately notified or who fall just outside the support window despite clear symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Engine, Jul 15, 2024
The contact's fiancé owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. While the contact's fiancé was driving 55 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and decelerated from 55 MPH down to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Engine, Sep 1, 2023
Computer system failure ABS system not functioning causing driving functions not working. Problem continuously reproduced by independents and finally by Dealer. Dashboard lights on, engine, tracking, ABS, Brak and other lights. MPG reduced with speedometer down to zero while driving.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 18, 2023
There was a recall on this Camry model 2012 to 2014 that the Charlotte, NC dealership refused to cover. I am having a transmission issue that causes my car to shudder and vibrate at regular speeds. “shudder comes from the transmission, especially during the acceleration of the Camry models. It can be alarming for the driver and be a safety concern when the gears do not properly change during operation. When this problem persists over a significant period of time, it has the poetry to cause long-term damage to your transmission. Damage to your transmission can be costly and affect the overall performance of your Toyota…” -Toyota of west county website
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and making a lane change, the vehicle started vibrating while depressing the accelerator pedal, but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the hesitation lasted for approximately 10 to 15 seconds, before the vehicle jerked forward and accelerated as needed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 5, 2022
I was driving about 70 mph on interstate 95 and all of a sudden my car shut off while going 70 mph my check engine light and the traction control light came on the car came back on while still going 70 mph picked up where it left off it was a bit Scary
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021
WHEN DRIVING THE HESITATING TO ACCELERATE AND SLOW DOWN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ADVANTAGE TOYOTA I'M VALLEY STREAM NY AND THE TOLD ME THE ENGINE MOUNT IS BROKEN. I PAID 890.00 TO FIXED AND THE PROBLEM NEVER FIX. I TOOK ON 03-12-21 AND GET ON 0313-21. CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT SIX TIME TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANGER AND NEVER RETURN OR ANSWER THE CALL. THEY TOLD ME HE IS BUY.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 3, 2020, crash
I WAS BRAKING ON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT? BUT INSTEAD OF BRAKING IT WAS LIKE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I KEPT STOMPING THE BREAK BUT IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ONLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WENT UP OVER THE CURB INTO A METAL FENCE AND ALMOST HIT A BRICK WALL. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD AND I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW TOYOTA'S AND A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN CAMRYS.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2020
I HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A TURN THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION. IF THE TURN IS LONG, AS IN A CLOVERLEAF EXIT, THE VEHICLE WILL ALMOST STOP. PRESSING THE GAS HAS NO EFFECT. THE VEHICLE WILL LAG UNTIL IT ALMOST STOPS OR UNTIL YOU COME OUT OF THE TURN. FROM WHAT I FIND ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2012 AND LATER TOYOTA CAMRYS BUT DEALERS STONEWALL ABOUT IT. I HOPE YOU GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ON THIS TO ISSUE A RECALL.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2019
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES MOVE ABOUT 10 FEET AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION COULD BE DANGEROUS.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 22, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, CRASHED THROUGH A GATE, AND LANDED ON TOP OF A POOL COVERED BY A TARP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. *BF MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2019
THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY STOP ACCELERATING WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. YOU CAN THEN LIFT UP AND PRESS BACK DOWN AND IT NORMALLY WILL RESPOND AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. A POLICE REORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 7, 2019
TOYOTA CAMRY 2012 AND 2013 WHICH I HAVE WHEN THERE IS AN ELEVATION AND THERE IS A SIGNAL.IMMEDIATLY WHEN YOU TAKE YOU LEG OUT OF BRAKE . THE CAR IMMEDIATELY START ROLLING BACK SOO FAST. I MISSED HITTING THE CAR BEHIND NUMBER OF OCCASIONS BY PRESSING GAS QUICKLY. I HAVE SHOWED THIS PROBLUM TO DEALER THEY SAID IT IS COMMON PROBLUM. THE CAR SHOULD NOT GO TOO FAST BACK IN A SMALL ALIVATION WHICH IS NOT SAFE .
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2018
AS I AM ACCELERATING BETWEEN 20-50 MPH THE CAR SHUDDERS. I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $140 JUST TO SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM. MY SON HAS A 2014 AND MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2015 AND ALL HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE 110,000 MILES ON MY CAR, MY SON 80,000 AND MY DAUGHTER 70,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE WE ALL HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID AS WE ARE ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR IS STALLING WE MIGHT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. ITS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE!
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 28, 2018, crash
ON 5/24/18 AT 1435 IN CHICAGO IL, MY 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY FULLY ACCELERATED THROUGH ONGOING TRAFFIC AFTER LIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH ONCOMING TRAFFIC INTO A GRASS AREA ACROSS THE STREET TO SLOW DOWN BUT COMING DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. CHICAGO POLICE DEPT REPORT #JB-282363
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 4, 2017
DELAY IN SHIFTING ON LOW SPEEDS BETTWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH.THE CAR SHUTTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING OR COMING TO STOP
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLONIAL TOYOTA IN MILFORD, 470 BOSTON POST RD, MILFORD, CT 06460, (203) 878-7401 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TIE NEEDED TO BE CUT BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO COLONIAL TOYOTA IN MILFORD IN MILFORD, CT 06460, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A ZE5 TORQUE CONVERT AND STATED TO THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 10/05/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER FIXED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AT NO COST. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2017, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING ON A CITY STREET DUE TO THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING, I SLOWED DOWN THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. THE CAR TOOK OFF I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT STILL HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE ABOUT THE VEHICLE STALLING AND ACCELERATING. I HAD FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER AND HOOD. THE VEHICLE I CRASHED INTO BACK BUMPER WAS ALSO DENTED.
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2017
ACCELERATING UP A PARKING STRUCTURE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE FULLY RELEASED THEN DEPRESSED AGAIN TO REGAIN FUNCTION.
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2017
TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING 3 TIMES IN SUCCESSION. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS FULLY RELEASED THEN DEPRESSED AGAIN TO REGAIN FUNCTION EACH TIME.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2017
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN), THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE ABOUT 20 FEET OR 20 MPH AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. . THIS HAPPENED AT THOSE INTERVAL. THE INTERMITTENT HESITATION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CROSS TRAFFIC IS UNCONTROLLED.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL, FENCE, AND BUSHES. THE VEHICLE LANDED WITH THE REAR END ON THE GROUND AND THE FRONT END IN THE AIR. THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. ...UPDATED 05/17/17 *BF UPDATED 08/30/2017*JS
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING CAR HESITATE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN TAKE OFF WHILE TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND ALSO DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH MY KIDS IN CAR. *TR